SA MP withdraws 'parasite' remark

A Labor MP has backed away from his description of a colleague as a "parasite" but that won't resolve the disunity within the South Australian government, the state opposition says.

Dumped former president of the Legislative Council, John Gazzola, branded his replacement and factional rival, Russell Wortley, a parasite and called on him to resign during an extraordinary attack in parliament on Tuesday night.

"Given the circumstances, and by the mere fact that you became the president through a secret factional deal, it is difficult for me to wish you well in your role," he said.

"Sir, I have known you for many years and over time I have formed my own view that you are a parasite and an embarrassment to the Labor movement.

In parliament on Thursday, Mr Gazzola withdrew the description.

"To assist you in maintaining the standards of the council, I withdraw my use of unparliamentary language," he said.

Opposition health spokesman Rob Lucas said it was "nothing more than a cosmetic measure" for the government led by Jay Weatherill.